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Researchers at Swinburne University in Australia reviewed two dozen clinical studies of three cognitive enhancers — the herbal supplements Ginseng and Bacopa and a pharmaceutical drug called Modafinil — to calculate and compare their effect sizes. The comparison showed that the two supplements are as or more effective than the drug. Panax ginseng and Bacopa monniera supplements are used respectively for short-term and long-term cognitive enhancement. The drug modafinil is prescribed to treat sleep disorders, but it sees widespread off-label use as a short-term cognitive enhancer. To compare effect sizes, the Swinburne University researchers aggregated and normalized the results of nine clinical studies of Ginseng, seven clinical studies of Bacopa, and eight clinical studies of modafinil. First let’s look at modafinil, the pharmaceutical drug. When taken by healthy adults with normal sleep patterns, modafinil shows a small positive effect on reaction times and a small-to-large effect on accuracy of visual-spatial memory. These effects are most pronounced 2–4 hours after ingestion and fully wear off after 12–15 hours. Modafinil has no effect on several other dimensions of cognitive performance, including mathematical processing, associative learning, and verbal fluency. Studies detected no adverse effects on cognitive function. Ginseng contains over 30 psychoactive compounds and has broad effects on both brain activity and blood glucose. Studies of acute (short-term) ginseng supplementation found large improvements of reaction time and large reductions of mental fatigue. Ginseng also improved working memory and mental arithmetic. Ginseng had counterproductive effects with prolonged use, however. After dosing for 8 days, subjects continued to outperform on memory tasks in terms of accuracy, but they underperformed in terms of reaction time. Bacopa is an herbal antioxidant, neuroprotector, and mood and memory enhancer. Studies found that its positive effects became evident only after prolonged dosing for 12 weeks or more. Bacopa caused small-to-medium-sized improvements of attention, learning, and information processing, and large improvements of working memory. It had no effect on reaction time. Modafinil, Ginseng, and Bacopa each had overwhelmingly positive effects on cognition in the clinical studies. Interestingly, Ginseng and Bacopa’s largest effect sizes were larger than modafinil’s largest effect size, which suggests that dose-for-dose, these herbal supplements may be even more powerful cognitive enhancers than the pharmaceutical drug. Each of the three cognitive enhancers appears to work on slightly different aspects of cognition. Modafinil appears to help with visual-spatial memory and executive functioning, Ginseng with heavily loaded working memory tasks, and Bacopa with learning and memory. Ginseng, however, may be best in a single dose (200–400 mg) for short-term use. Only a few studies have looked at prolonged dosing with Ginseng, and one of them found negative effects on memory reaction times after 8 days of dosing. For extended use, you’re better off taking Bacopa. In addition to improving attention, learning, and memory, Bacopa also appears to protect the brain against harmful amyloid plaques. You’ll need to take daily 300 mg doses of Bacopa for 12 weeks before you can expect to see results. I recommend staying away from off-label use of pharmaceutical drugs. Fortunately, there are powerful over-the-counter alternatives. As always, be aware that some may experience adverse effects from use of nutraceuticals. Consult with your doctor before and during nutraceutical use. Thrivous products are excellent sources of Bacopa and Ginseng. Clarity Daily Nootropic provides a clinical dose of Bacopa, in combination with other nutrients for sustained cognitive enhancement. And Surge Acute Nootropic provides a clinical dose of Ginseng, in combination with other nutrients for occasional boosts to cognitive enhancement.

Researchers at UT Southwestern have reported their observations of older adults with mild memory loss who followed a physical exercise program for a year. The researchers found that blood flow to the brain increased. "This is part of a growing body of evidence linking exercise with brain health," says study leader Rong Zhang. "We've shown for the first time in a randomized trial in these older adults that exercise gets more blood flowing to your brain." Research shows that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) affects one-fifth of people age 65 and older. It manifests with mild issues in memory, decision-making, or reasoning skills. The researchers followed 70 men and women aged 55 to 80 who had been diagnosed with MCI. The participants were randomly assigned to either follow a moderate aerobic exercise program or a stretching program for one year. A study is published in Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. In it, the researchers report that the participants who performed aerobic exercise showed decreasing stiffness of blood vessels in their neck and increasing blood flow to the brain. Changes in these measurements were not found among the participants who followed the stretching program. The length of the study was too short, according to the researchers, to reveal significant changes in memory or other cognitive functions. But the researchers are persuaded that changes to blood flow could precede changes that improve cognitive function. A larger ongoing two-year study, Risk Reduction for Alzheimer's Disease (rrAD), could confirm this. Low levels of cerebral blood flow, and stiffer blood vessels leading to the brain, are known to be associated with MCI and dementia. Studies have also suggested that regular aerobic exercise may help improve memory and cognition in healthy older adults. The new study is expected to confirm, clarify, and quantify the link between exercise, stiffer blood vessels, and brain blood flow. In the meantime, the completed study helps explain the effects of exercise on the brain. And it begins to help us understand how exercise may have beneficial effects on overall brain function and brain health. "There is still a lot we don't know about the effects of exercise on cognitive decline later in life," says Munro Cullum, co-senior author of the study. "MCI and dementia are likely to be influenced by a complex interplay of many factors, and we think that, at least for some people, exercise is one of those factors. There are likely some people who benefit more from exercise than others." "Having physiological findings like this can also be useful for physicians when they talk to their patients about the benefits of exercise," added Zhang. "We now know, based on a randomized, controlled trial, that exercise can increase blood flow to the brain, which is a good thing." I don’t especially like exercise, and therefore I must keep persuading myself that exercise is good for me. I’m not (yet) experiencing MCI. But just in case, I’ll now stop writing this and go for a fast hike in the woods to improve blood flow to my brain.

French Maritime Pine Bark (Pinus Pinaster) is considered a super-antioxidant because it contains high amounts of oligomeric proanthocyanin compounds (OPCs). These are the same ingredients that are responsible for the antioxidant benefits of grape seeds and witch hazel bark. Companies that make extracts of French Maritime Pine Bark have funded hundreds of research studies and published many positive findings. Extracts are marketed as health supplements for the circulatory system and a variety of body functions associated with heart health and blood flow. Although most of the studies have been small, many have been done by independent research and can confirm some of the health claims made by the manufacturers. Studies suggest that French Maritime Pine Bark helps promote blood flow by increasing levels of nitric oxide. And it is often recommended to support healthy blood pressure, promote a healthy inflammatory response, and promote overall heart health. Of its many benefits, it is most widely taken as a supplement to boost cardiovascular function. And studies suggest it is effective at promoting healthy blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. A 2016 study found that those who took a French Maritime Pine Bark extract experienced a significant increase in HDL ("good") cholesterol, and a decrease in blood pressure and LDL ("bad") cholesterol. The cardiovascular benefits of supplementing with French Maritime Pine Bark are well supported by research. However, one well-designed and large study did not show conclusive findings on heart health benefits. It was done on the Flavangenol brand, which is standardized to contain much less OPC than some other brands, such as Oligopin. Non-cardiovascular benefits of supplementing with French Maritime Pine Bark have also been researched with some positive results. For example, one study found that French Maritime Pine Bark decreases oxidative damage to bones during aging. French Maritime Pine Bark is generally considered safe. But it may interfere with chemotherapy and radiation therapy drugs. Those with autoimmune diseases, those who are pregnant, or those taking prescription medications should consult their doctors before using an extract of French Maritime Pine Bark. Research does not indicate any major side effects from French Maritime Pine Bark. But it can cause fatigue and irritability when combined with certain drugs. Thrivous Omega Thrivous Omega Cardioprotector provides a clinical dose of the Oligopin extract of French Maritime Pine Bark. The formula also includes Omega 3 and Garlic to complement the cardiovascular benefits, support healthy levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, and enhance heart function for better aging. Buy Omega today!

Geroprotectors are substances that support healthy aging, slow aging, or promote life extension. They include various foods, supplements (nutraceuticals), and drugs (pharmaceuticals). And they complement practices with potential geroprotective effects, such as calorie restriction. Sometimes people call them: aging suppressants anti-aging drugs gerosuppressants longevity therapeutics senolytics senotherapeutics Unfortunately no existing geroprotector comes close to realizing the age-old aspiration of ending aging altogether. In part, that's because we still don't know enough about the root cause of aging. But scientists can increase the lifespan of model organisms, which suggests that we can develop much better geroprotectors. So an increasing number of companies and non-profit organizations are anxiously engaged in aging research and development. Although existing geroprotectors can't cure aging, science shows that they can still make a real practical difference for many people who wish to improve their healthy life span. To that end, I’ve used several geroprotectors for years. And I’m exploring ways to incorporate others into my diet, if they’re applicable to my personal situation and meet a few general criteria: First, I look for geroprotectors supported by multiple studies on humans – not just anecdotal evidence, one study, or studies on non-human animals. Although I've nothing against the health benefits of placebo, I prefer knowing that something more than only placebo is at work. Second, I look for geroprotectors with the highest ratios of efficacy to expense. Given innumerable options and a limited budget, I want to do more than just empty my wallet. Third, I look for geroprotectors that are legal and generally safe. If it'll put me in a hospital or a prison, it’s not worth it. Based on those criteria, I’ve compiled a list of top tier natural geroprotectors that actually work. These are, to the best of my knowledge, the most well-researched and effective geroprotectors available in the United States without a prescription. I’ve excluded from this list any geroprotectors that are primarily nootropic geroprotectors (such as ginkgo and melatonin ), which you can find in my list of top tier nootropics. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Please consult a physician before and during use of these and other geroprotectors. 1) Berberine Berberine is a compound of extracts from herbs such as barberry. Supplementation may support healthy blood sugar and metabolic function, according to multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in humans. See the Berberine article at Examine.com for studies and details. Also check out our article on Berberine for longevity. Berberine is an ingredient in Thrivous Vitality Geroprotector. 2) Blueberry Blueberry is the fruit of a perennial flowering plant native to North America. Supplementation may support healthy DNA and genetic function, according to multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in humans. See the Blueberry article at Examine.com for studies and details. Also check out our article on preventing DNA damage by adding Blueberry to your diet. Blueberry is an ingredient in Thrivous Vitality Geroprotector. 3) Boswellia Serrata (Frankincense) Boswellia Serrata is a plant native to India and Pakistan. Supplementation may support healthy joint function, according to multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in humans. See the Boswellia Serrata article at Examine.com for studies and details. Also check out our article on Boswellia for joint health. The ApresFlex® extract of Boswellia is an ingredient in Thrivous Tenacity Arthroprotector. 4) Cocoa Cocoa comes from the seeds of evergreen trees native to tropical regions of Central and South America. Supplementation may support healthy heart and circulatory function, according to multiple peer-reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled ...

The Mind Tech pill by Nootropic Technologies claims to be a smart pill. But it's more of a low-dose multivitamin according to its ingredients list. And it appears to come from the same people responsible for nootropic scams like Amazin' Brain. Paid Ad A paid AP News ad claims that Mind Tech Pills: increase neuron transmission improve mental processing speed increase mental clarity eliminate brain fog protect from harmful free radicals settle your emotions The ad claims that the supplement provides these benefits even if you're overworked or had one too many the previous night. It also states that the product has undergone lab testing to ensure no harmful side effects to humans. However, no scientific evidence or research is mentioned to back up any of their claims. And the only con listed in the ad is that supplies are low, so "grab yours while supplies last." "Free" Trial Scam To try to prevent complaints to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the paid ad describes the "free" trial conditions. For a shipping and handling cost of $6.94, you receive a 30 day supply of Mind Tech pills. However, you must call customer support and cancel auto-shipping within 14 days. Or you pay the full $89.94 for the "free" product. And in 45 days, you will be charged for and shipped another bottle. Mind Tech Pills Website BBB Complaints BBB lists a United States P. O. Box in Tampa, Florida, for Nootropic Technologies. The wording in the paid ad, the free-trial scam details, and at least one of the product websites are very similar to those for the Amazin' Brain scam. Amazin' Brain also happens to also be located in Tampa, Florida. The BBB lists three alerts for Nootropic Technologies. These alerts are: The business has received a pattern of complaints involving unauthorized or unexpected charges and unresolved refund disputes. A number of the complaints testify how difficult it is to cancel an unwanted subscription and for the company to accept unopened returns. The business uses fake celebrity endorsements from Elon Musk and Ben Carson. The business has returns shipped to BT Shipping LLC in Tampa, Florida. A significant number of complaints have been filed with BBB for issues with refund payment for return products shipped to BT Shipping LLC. Propriety Blend Mind Tech's nutrition label lists a 642 mg propriety blend of smart drugs. Of the nineteen ingredients in the blend, only twelve provide nootropic benefits. These include: Green Tea Extract may acutely improve cognitive performance for those with a low cognitive baseline. However, significant effects are only seen at doses of 400-500 mg/day. L-Tyrosine, taken at 100-150 mg/kg body weight, may increase mental energy by reducing stress-induced attention deficit and memory issues. Bilberry Fruit Extract may improve long-term working memory in elderly adults when taking 100 mg/day. With only 642 mg in the blend, Mind Tech's propriety blend is substantially below recommended levels for each cognitive enhancement ingredient. Healthy people are better off drinking a cup of coffee for short-term cognitive performance benefits. Missing Key Nootropics Mind Tech pills are missing one of the best dietary nootropic supplements to support cognitive function as we age. That's Ginkgo Biloba. A long term cohort study suggests that Ginkgo may support aging brain health by improving blood flow to the brain. Other nootropic supplements with high levels of evidence for notable magnitudes of effect include Bacopa Monnieri, Rhodiola Rosea, L-Theanine, and Alpha GPC. So if you want to try nootropics with the greatest potential to enhance cognition, look for supplements that contain these ingredients. Thrivous Clarity and Alpha Stack is a far better alternative to Mind Tech pills. In Thrivous supplements, each nutrient and each dose is backed by multiple human studies. All Thrivous supplements pass through multiple rounds of rigorous quality control. And Thrivous is serious about customer happiness, as reflected ...

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute and the University of Hong Kong have found that the drug clofazimine exhibits potent antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2. Clofazimine is typically used to treat leprosy. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19. Clofazimine is FDA-approved and on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines. Scientists found that the drug also prevents the exaggerated inflammatory response associated with severe COVID-19. A study is published in Nature. It reports that scientists tested clofazimine in hamsters that were infected with SARS-CoV-2. The scientists found that clofazimine lowered the amount of virus in the lungs, including when given to healthy animals prior to infection. The drug also reduced lung damage and prevented cytokine storm. Cytokine storm is an overwhelming inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2 that can be deadly. The scientists are persuaded that clofazimine is an ideal candidate for a COVID-19 treatment. It is safe, affordable, easy to make, taken as a pill, and can be made globally available. Based on these findings, a phase 2 study could begin immediately. It will evaluate clofazimine as an at-home treatment for COVID-19. "We hope to test clofazimine in a Phase 2 clinical trial as soon as possible for people who test positive for COVID-19 but are not hospitalized," says Sumit Chanda, one of the senior authors of the study. "Since there is currently no outpatient treatment available for these individuals, clofazimine may help reduce the impact of the disease, which is particularly important now as we see new variants of the virus emerge and against which the current vaccines appear less efficacious." "Our data suggests that clofazimine should also be tested as a monotherapy for people with COVID-19, which would lower many barriers to treatment," adds Chanda. "People with COVID-19 would be able to simply receive a regime of low-cost pills, instead of traveling to a hospital to receive an injection." Clofazimine was previously identified as a promising drug candidate against SARS-CoV-2. This was done by screening known drugs in the ReFRAME library for their ability to block the replication of the virus. The ReFRAME library was created by Scripps Research, with a goal of repurposing existing drugs to meet unmet clinical needs. "The animals that received clofazimine had less lung damage and lower viral load, especially when receiving the drug before infection," says Ren Sun, one of the senior authors of the study. "Besides inhibiting the virus, there are indications that the drug also regulates the host response to the virus, which provides better control of the infection and inflammation." "Potentially most importantly, clofazimine appears to have pan-coronavirus activity, indicating it could be an important weapon against future pandemics," says Kwok-Yung Yuen, another senior author of the study. Yuen discovered the coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). "Our study suggests that we should consider creating a stockpile of ready-made clofazimine that could be deployed immediately if another novel coronavirus emerges."

Friends have been asking me for an update on my dietary supplement regimen. The last time that I wrote about it was four years ago. Since that time, my goals have continued to be pretty much the same: think better and maintain health longer. But pursuit of those goals has led me to make quite a few changes, mostly additions, to my regimen -- my "stack," to use the common biohacker term. I've continued to study and experiment with nutrients to support strength performance, nootropics to enhance mental ability, and geroprotectors to promote healthy life extension. And I'm presently supplementing with around 50 nutrients (40 on a daily basis, 6 on a regular basis, and 4 on an occasional basis) -- excluding a few with which I'm experimenting more tentatively. Of course, supplementation isn't the only practice in which I engage to pursue my goals. I also aim, for example, to do the following: sleep 7.5 hours per night exercise vigorously at least 3 hours per week drink mainly water, and avoid soft drinks pray and meditate on gratitude daily update my gratitude journal weekly attend church services weekly spend time with family and friends regularly fast intermittently and over-eat rarely minimize consumption of junk food don't use illegal drugs don't smoke or drink alcohol manage high stress that arises from work My health is generally good for a 44-year-old. I'm approximately the same height and weight that I was at the end of my teenage years. I can do 50 pushups quickly, without breaking a sweat. My max is probably around 100. And I regularly run a 7.5 minute mile as a warm-up, with plenty of energy for a full weight training session afterwards. I'm not sure how fast I could run a mile if I pushed myself, mostly because I hate running -- unless, like a dog, I'm chasing a ball. My most recent medical checkup measured my blood pressure at 57/109 and resting heart rate at 60. And my most recent blood work found everything to be well within normal healthy ranges, with the exception of borderline-high eosinophils. That's probably related to allergies that affect esophageal function, which is currently my only long-term health concern. In that context, I'm happy to share with you the details of my current supplement stack. It's based on years of analysis of decades of research by scientists worldwide. In my analysis, I generally look for supplements that meet three criteria: First, I look for supplements supported by multiple clinical studies on humans – not just anecdotal evidence, one study, or studies on non-human animals. I have nothing against placebo, but I prefer to spend my time and money on more than placebo. Second, I look for supplements with the highest ratios of evidenced-efficacy over expense. Given innumerable options and a limited budget, I want to spend my money as efficiently as possible. Supplements are expensive enough without being wasteful. Third, I look for supplements that are legal and generally safe. If it's likely to put me in a prison or a hospital, I'm not interested. Please keep in mind that this isn't medical advice. I'm not a physician. And even if I was, information like this simply can't be applicable to everyone. While we all have much in common, we're still all significantly different. We have differences in genetics, varied anatomical states, and different environmental and social situations. These differences multiply quickly into complexities that will lead wise persons to do their own research and consult with their personal physicians before adopting any of the supplements that I describe here. In the following stack descriptions, I have included links to supplements that Thrivous provides. So, if you use Thrivous Stack, you're already using most of the linked supplements. The only exceptions are the linked supplements in my energy stack, which you can get separately in Thrivous Surge Acute Nootropic. I generally buy the other non-linked supplements from reputable vendors on Amazon. Morning ...

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a gene therapy strategy for chronic pain. It may provide better results than alternatives such as anti-inflammatories, opioids, physical therapy, spinal fusion surgery, or stem cell therapy. "What we have right now does not work," said UC San Diego bioengineer Ana Moreno, first author of the study. "There's a desperate need for a treatment that's effective, long-lasting and non-addictive.” The new therapy is described in a study published in Science Translational Medicine. It works by temporarily repressing a gene involved in sensing pain. The study reports that the researchers used the new therapy to increase pain tolerance in laboratory mice, lower their sensitivity to pain, and provide pain relief without causing numbness, both short- and long-term (many weeks). The new gene therapy could be used to provide treatment options for a broad range of chronic pain conditions. It could treat back pain due to painful discs, damaged discs, disc herniation, disc degeneration, or degenerative disc disease (DDD). It could provide treatment options for neuropathic pain disorders, diabetic polyneuropathy, erythromelalgia, sciatica, and osteoarthritis. And it could also provide relief for patients undergoing chemotherapy. The researchers used a version of the cut-and-paste gene editing technology CRISPR. The version of CRISPR used by the researchers relies on what's called "dead" Cas9, which lacks the ability to cut DNA. Instead, it sticks to a gene target and blocks its expression. The researchers used this approach to deactivate a gene in the spinal cord. By deactivating the gene, they repressed production of NaV1.7, which is a protein that is over-expressed in pain-transmitting neurons. The approach doesn't appear to affect other aspects of the spine, such as disc height, the nucleus pulposus, or genes in spinal disc cells. Moreover, the new gene therapy is “not cutting out any genes, so there are no permanent changes to the genome. You wouldn't want to permanently lose the ability to feel pain," said Moreno. "One of the biggest concerns with CRISPR gene editing is off-target effects. Once you cut DNA, that's it. You can't go back. With dead Cas9, we're not doing something irreversible." "In some common diseases, the issue is that a gene is being misexpressed. You don't want to completely shut it down," added UC San Diego bioengineering professor Prashant Mali. "But if you could turn down the dose of that gene, you could bring it to a level where it is not pathogenic. That is what we are doing here. We don't completely take away the pain phenotype, we dampen it." This approach “is superclever,” note experts not directly involved in the study, as reported in a commentary published in Science News. While cost could prevent a genetic strategy from becoming a treatment for a condition as common as chronic pain, this is a step in the right direction. The researchers also performed the same tests using an older gene editing tool called "zinc finger proteins," with similar results. Zinc finger proteins are derived from human proteins, and don’t cause immune responses. Therefore, pain treatments based on zinc finger proteins could be a better approach in practical medicine. Moreno and Mali co-founded the spinoff company Navega Therapeutics to work on preparing this gene therapy approach for clinical trials. They developed the approach at UC San Diego.

A 2016 clinical trial investigated the effect of vitamin D supplements on muscle strength and muscle function in middle-aged women. The trial also investigated the effect of vitamin D supplements on body composition: the percentages of fat, bone, water, and muscle in the body. 71 women, aged 40-55 years, were divided in two groups randomly. And they received a 1000 IU vitamin D3 tablet or a placebo, daily for 12 weeks. At the beginning and at the end of the study, researchers assessed and statistically analyzed the following: dietary intake body composition muscle strength and function vitamin D status physical activity level sun exposure All participants admitted in the trial had a serum 25(OH)-D of less than 25 ng/ml. This vitamin D level indicates deficiency. And this was one of the criteria that determined admission. A study, titled “ Effect of Vitamin D Supplement Consumption on Muscle Strength, Muscle Function and Body Composition in Vitamin D-deficient Middle-aged Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial ” (2016), is published in Nutrition and Food Sciences Research. It reports the background, methods, and conclusions of the clinical trial. The most important conclusion is that 1000 IU vitamin D supplements resulted in improvement in muscle function and body composition. Fat mass also decreased in the vitamin D group. However, 1000 IU vitamin D supplementation had no significant effect on muscle strength. In fact, it appears that vitamin D may have greater effects on muscle coordination than strength. The major natural source of vitamin D is sun exposure (specifically exposure to ultraviolet sunlight). Skin synthesizes the vitamin through chemical reactions. And, in turn, the vitamin facilitates many functions within the body, including development and maintenance of muscle cells. Conversely, vitamin D deficiency is most often due to insufficient exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency can also be caused by inadequate nutritional intake of vitamin D, as well as by disorders limiting vitamin D absorption and processing. Vitamin D deficiency results in weakened bones and increased risk of bone fractures. Previous research suggests that sarcopenia, the loss of muscle strength and muscle mass with aging, is also associated with vitamin D deficiency. Of course there’s nothing like spending time outdoors with plenty of sunlight. But that is not always an option, especially for those who live in places where sunlight is scarce, or those with significant mobility impairments. It’s good to know that supplements like Thrivous Tenacity can help people get higher levels of vitamin D.

An FDA-approved drug has been used successfully to treat type 2 diabetes for more than 60 years. Studies have already shown that it can slow aging in animals, if they're not already too old. Therefore, the question that jumps to mind is whether it may promote healthy aging in humans, enabling us to live longer. The drug is Metformin. Finding the answer is the goal of the TAME (Targeting Aging with Metformin) clinical trial. TAME is planned to be a series of six-year clinical trials at 14 leading research institutions across the United States. And it “will engage over 3,000 individuals between the ages of 65-79 … to provide proof-of-concept that aging can be treated, just as we treat diseases.” The Washington Post explains that “Metformin works on several metabolic and cellular processes linked to aging, including inflammation, waning chromosome repair, metabolic and immune dysfunction, and it improves the efficiency of the mitochondria, the ‘powerhouses’ within cells that drive respiration and energy.” See “ Metformin and Aging: A Review ” (2019), published in Gerontology. One 2014 study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism has shown promising indications that diabetics who take Metformin live longer than non-diabetics who do not. The TAME trial is led by Nir Barzilai, director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Barzilai, who has long championed the life-lengthening powers of Metformin, has been taking it himself since 2015 after being diagnosed with pre-diabetes. However, he urges caution while waiting for the TAME results. “I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone until there is evidence from a clinical trial,” he told The Washington Post. A research paper is published in Aging Medicine (December 2020). It notes that TAME “may make metformin the first approved drug for anti‐aging, but, more importantly, since it is not testing metformin against a single disease but a collection of age‐related ones, it establishes aging as a medical condition that can be intervened or treated instead of an irreversible process outside human control.” The Washington Post echoes this important consideration. Since aging is not considered a disease, the FDA is unlikely to approve a drug for its anti-aging effects. But Metformin (an existing, approved, and long-used drug) could now be shown to prevent or delay age-related diseases such as dementia, heart disease, frailty, or cancer. In doing so, Metformin could slow the process of aging and extend life. If so, the FDA and drug makers could warm up to the concept that aging is a disease that should be cured. Widespread acceptance of this revolutionary concept would be, I think, a game changer. It would open the door to visionary life extension research projects that are too politically incorrect to pursue at this moment. Maybe 20 years from now, we'll have several FDA approved anti-aging drugs. They might function like Metformin, or like other promising drugs that target senescent cells. The American Foundation for Aging Research (AFAR) is seeking donors to fund TAME with $42 million. $11 million have been raised so far. “If the TAME Trial is successful, and aging is made an indication for treatment, a new era of treatments will be available,” reads the fundraiser.